Julian Lennon Is Making Moves, Music At YouTube

Attendees at the last YouTube Space LA Happy Hour were treated to an unexpected surprise: an impromptu concert from John Lennon’s son, Julian Lennon. During the performance, Lennon teased out his aspirations in online video: “I’m grateful to enjoy this with you and usher what will probably become my new family here…it’s an honor.”

Lennon’s performance was presented by a partnership between YouTube and Endemol Beyond (the new YouTube multi-channel network helmed by Will Kennan), and marks the culmination of Lennon’s six-week promo tour for his new documentary and interactive app, Through The Picture Window, which is set to release December 12, 2013. The feature-length doc, which features exclusive interview footage of Bono and Steven Tyler, chronicles Lennon’s music, philanthropy, and new-found love of photography.

“The idea was to do something that would allow people a little insight into the recording and writing process, a little insight into who I am these days, for those who want to know,” Lennon told Tubefilter. The doc also includes a video for every song on his latest album, Everything Changes, his first release in over fifteen years.

Lennon played a short improvised acoustic set to the crowd at the YouTube Space. One of the songs included was “Lookin 4 Luv,” which fans will be able to listen to by way of the Through The Picture Window app. In fact, acoustic versions of all the tracks on Everything Changes are available on the application that compliments the documentary.

The album, published on Lennon’s own Music From Another Room label, is the artist’s first fully independent album. “I always promised to be fully independent before,” Lennon explained to Tubefilter. “I did do a partnership with a couple indie labels, and I felt I got screwed just the same as if I was with a major label.”

Perhaps it was the indie spirit of YouTube that drew Lennon to hook up with Keenan, President of the newly formed Endemol Beyond. Lennon and Keenan first connected in 2009 when Keenan reached out to use an instrumental track from Lennon’s “Sway” for a film with Bollywood superstar Mallika.

The two now appear to be forging a partnership, with last week’s performance as an important first step. “This was our first hello,” Lennon told Tubefilter. “If there is going to be a relationship, and YouTube and Endemol Beyond are the way forward, then to be aligned with them and and partner with them, that would be a positive thing to do—that’s what drove me to be here today.”